Adam Peaty has achieved legendary status over the past decade, winning multiple gold medals at the Olympic, World, and European levels to establish himself as the world’s most dominant sprint breaststroke swimmer. This week, the British swimmer, with his AP Race Team, will be in Malta to hold a world-class swimming clinic, and he sat down with Daniela Allen to recount his journey…
For Adam Peaty, his swimming career is not just about winning medals, but to showcase the best version of himself and be an inspiration to others.
On July 5, Peaty will be in Malta to host an AP Race clinic in Malta and he is looking forward to it.
“I am expecting a lot of energy, hopefully some good weather. We are going to deliver an incredible clinic that hopefully no one in the Mediterranean has ever seen,” he said.
“We are extremely excited to be in the Mediterranean, especially in Malta, and hope to see lots of fast kids. As an Island nation, we are hopefully going to see a lot of very good swimmers. But ultimately for us, we want to see swimmers grow and learn and hope to really leave a footprint in Malta as AP Race can with their objectives.”
“The team and I are very excited to get this clinic started.”
In the past 11 years, Peaty has established as one of the world’s fastest breaststrokers, winning every possible competition.
Last summer, Peaty thought about retiring from the sport after he was beaten by Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi in the 100m breaststroke final.
But after a short period of rest, Peaty opened up about the possibility of extending his career until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where he is determined to re-establish himself as the best swimmer in the world.
“To be honest, I was in a place where I didn’t want to carry on swimming after Paris 2024 because I had put so much investment into those Olympic Games, which was then taken away from me through some decisions that cost me and the team,” Peaty told The Sunday Times.
“After the 2024 Games, I walked away from the sport for a few months and focused on myself and AP Race. But onwards the end of 2024 I felt as though something was missing.
“I have always believed that the pain of regret is always greater than the pain of losing. I didn’t want to be something I wasn’t.
“Obviously, within the brand, I see lots of children, and for my son, I didn’t like the example that would have set. In my mind it has always been about persevering and creating a challenge for myself.
“As we look forward to the LA Olympics, it is about rising from Paris, which although was a silver medal while having Covid-19, I do truly believe I can be in a position where if I do it right, then why can’t I be in a position to be the best in the world.”
The Los Angeles Olympics will provide an added motivation for Peaty as, for the first time, the 50m breaststroke will be part of the racing programme.
“That means going to a place where I haven’t been before, not in a sense of hard work or over doing what I do, but being smarter than I have ever been before,” he said.
“Working harder with my recovery and challenging myself to do new things. So, the comeback for me is more about finding the best possible version of myself through this experience of hopefully being one of the fastest sprinters on the planet.”
In the past few weeks, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the Enhanced Games, a multi-sport event that will allow athletes to use performance-enhancing substances without being subject to drug tests. Peaty has made it clear he is against this event.
“I don’t really believe in it at all. I don’t see it lasting too long because what message is that sending to future swimmers and parents? That you can cheat your way to the top and be rewarded for it?,” he said.
“It is completely against everything I do as an athlete and goes against all my values. The Olympics have been around a long time, with the first modern Olympics held in 1898. For me, it has always been about human endeavour and with 100% human capacity, which means not cheating.”
Peaty has been a role model with his behaviour not just in the pool but also outside. We asked how do you coach athletes to lose with grace and dignity, he replied: “I have always believed that, for myself, sport has always been one of the best lessons to learn how to both be gracious in winning and losing.
“Obviously, this is something each individual has to discover for themselves. My coach always said to me that you will see the same people on the way down as you do on the way up, and therefore, you should treat everyone the best you possibly can.
“I wouldn’t say it is something you can teach or coach someone, it must come from within their personality, but it is truly about accountability and who you surround yourself with.
Peaty has been very vocal on the importance of supporting athletes both physically and mentally, and he has a clear message for young athletes.
“One of my famous quotes is ‘The mind is the athlete, the body is simply the means’, you have to look after yourself mentally to ensure you don’t burn out, especially on those 4-year cycles,” Peaty said.
“Finding time to rest and having the opportunity to look back and plan, while having that excitement is extremely important. That could be down to your coach, your environment or your day-to-day life. But overall, it is important to find that balance every single day.”
Peaty said that the secret to ensuring longevity in sport is to find different challenges.
“Personally, I respond very well to a challenge, so making sure when we are going through those 4-year cycles, we are having a bit of fun and not taking things too seriously. Balance is key here for me,” he said.
Peaty admits that setting a legacy is what drives him most.
“Right now, setting a legacy drives me the most. It has always been about legacy for me, but obviously now being a father drives me a huge amount. Also, being a partner, and soon to be husband at the end of the year, drives me a huge amount.
“It is not always just about the sport, but also about how I can be the best possible father, the best possible person in my relationship, and building a great team around me drives me immensely.”
Peaty said that one lesson he learned in his career is that hard work is not always the path that is going to take you home.
“I am definitely guilty of that, I always work extremely hard which is good but if you don’t check and balance that then it will get carried away and it will drain you of everything,” he admitted.
“Therefore, making sure you are working smart and not just working hard for the sake of it.”.
Note: Bookings are still open for the AP Race Breaststroke Clinic taking place on Saturday, July 5, at the Cottonera Sports Complex. Secure your space now – https://aprace.club/pages/clinics/adam-peaty-breaststroke-clinic.
